If the Book of Mormon is true, it is, next to the Bible, the most important book in the world. This fact has been appreciated by the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and by them alone. Their leaders and teachers have defended the authenticity of the book with great earnestness and power. No fair-minded man can read the works of Orson Pratt (perhaps the ablest of all the Mormon advocates), and of Brigham H. Roberts, who, in his "New Witnesses for God," has replied to more recent criticism, without being impressed with their conviction of the truth and value of the Book of Mormon, and their deep sense of duty to persuade others to accept their conclusions. If this book is what it claims to be it throws light upon matters of the first importance.
At the present time, when New Testament scholars, with better linguistic and historic equipment than ever before, are studying the life and teachings of Jesus, the record of His appearance to the Nephites and the version of His teachings preserved by the Nephite scribes would be of great value. A flood of light would be thrown upon the whole question of Church origins if the account of the organization of the Church in the new world, described in the Book of Mormon, were similar to that in the old. The value of the Book of Mormon to the archaeologist would be equally great. If this Nephite record be true, we have an account of the civilization in the North and Central and South Americas from "The earliest ages after the Flood to the beginning of the Fifth Century of the Christian Era." The Book of Mormon, were it shown to be true, would give important information to Scientists. The account of the convulsions of nature, which occurred in America at the time of Christ's coming, would compel the geologist to reexamine his theories as to the formation of land and sea, and the astronomer to adjust his laws of the heavens to the wonderful three days' darkness. The botanist and zoologist would have to rewrite the account of the flora and fauna of America. It is not to be wondered, therefore, that those who believe in the truth of this book have been faithful in urging its claim to serious attention.
On the other hand it is inexcusable that the book has never had the serious examination which its importance demands. Professor Orson Pratt was not far from correct when he wrote : "The great majority of the world, however, reject the Book of Mormon without the least examination as to its claims. They have heard that there was such a book, but they know nothing of its contents, only that it claims to be a divine revelation. They at once reject it as an imposture." He says, moreover:
"This book must be either true or false. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from God to man, affecting both the temporal and eternal interests of every people under heaven to the same extent and in the same degree that the message of Noah affected the inhabitants of the old world. If false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions who would sincerely receive it as the word of God.”
The dilemma accepted for the book is also accepted for its author. If Joseph Smith is not a true prophet of God he must be an impostor — was a position frankly accepted by this and other writers. As a result it was inevitable that the whole discussion should descend to personalities. Those who attacked the Mormons felt moved to publish everything they could discover or invent to the discredit of "Joe Smith" and his parents, while those who believed in him replied with a partisan record of virtues of life, and miracles of power. A rather careful reading of the controversy leads this writer to the conclusion that the Latter-day Saints set an example of dignity and courtesy which their opponents rarely followed. And yet, in the adoption of this unfair method, critics of Mormonism were but following the example of other defenders of their faith against novelty in religion.
If the Book of Mormon was not a correct translation, and yet Joseph Smith thought that it came to him by inspiration and revelation from God, thoughtful men cannot be asked to accept other revelations which Joseph Smith, Jr., asserted were also given to him by the Deity. If he was self-deceived in regard to his first and most extensive work, how can we be sure he was not also self-deceived in regard to later supposed communications from the Almighty? These questions are most critical, and yet, if the thoughtful Latter-day Saints of today are like those of the past, they will welcome them, because they have always invited investigation.
In a discourse delivered in the Tabernacle at Logan, Utah, Sunday evening, April 2, 1911, reported by Mr. F. E. Barker for the June, 1911, number of "The Improvement Era," Elder Brigham Roberts, perhaps the most candid and able of the living defenders of Mormonism, made this matter clear. After quoting from a pamphlet entitled "The Bible and the Book of Mormon" by Rev. Paul Jones, of St. John's Church, Logan, Utah, a statement of his own, that the Book of Mormon of necessity must submit to every test, to literary criticism as well as to every other kind of criticism, Mr. Roberts said:
“I am willing to repeat my statement that the Book of Mormon must submit to every test — literary criticism with the rest. Indeed, it must submit to every analysis and examination. It must submit to historical tests, to the tests of archaeological research, and also to the higher criticism. And, what is more, in the midst of it all, its advocates must carry themselves in a spirit of patience and of courage ; and that they will do just as long, of course, as their faith remains true to the book. For many years, after a rather rigid analysis, as I think, of the evidence bearing upon the truth of the Book of Mormon, I have reached through some stress and struggle, too, an absolute conviction of its truth. The Book is flung down into the world's mass of literature, and here it is ; we proclaim it true, and the world has the right to test it to the uttermost in every possible way."